Feeler mechanism for looms



I. SNOW.

' 'EEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

APPLICATION FILED ocT.26. 1920.

Patented Oct; 4:, 1921;

' 2 SHEETS-SHEET L.

I. SNOW.

' FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 26, I920.

Patented Oct. 4, 1921.

. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ar -FTFiE.

or HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS,

A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

IEEELER MECHANISM FOR Looms.

Laeasoa.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, ISAAC SNow, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lawrence, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Feeler Mechanisms for Looms, of which the following description, in connection 1 with the accompanying drawings, is a specifica} tion, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to feeler mechanisms for looms whereby the filling is replenished without stopping the loom when that in the activeshuttle has become nearly exhausted. I

The present invention is more directly concerned with that type of feeler mechanism wherein the feeler is supported for movement longitudinally of the shuttleto effect replenishment of filling when, on adetecting beat, the filling is substantially exhausted.

In this general type of feelermechanism, it

will sometimes happen that the feeler will detect substantial exhaustion of the filling in the shuttle on a detecting beat, but owing to the contact pressure of the feeler and filling carrier, and other causes-,the feeler willfail to respond to the forces tending to move it i longitudinally of the shuttle, and fail to call for a replenishment of filling, even though the filling in the shuttle is in condition to demand replenishment. In addition to the causes that may operate to objectionably infiuence the operation of thefeeler in the respects noted, is the fact that the filling carriers or bobbins become more or less injured in use, or the surfaces thereof become sticky and act with sufficient r'etardingeffect upon the feeler to prevent its calling a change on at detecting beat when the filling is nearly exhausted. i An important feature of the present invention, therefore, consists of means for relieving the pressure of the feeler against the filling carrier when the filling is nearlyex hausted on a detecting beat, to thereby facilitate andjinsure the movement. 'of the feeler in a direction longitudinally ofrthe shuttle to effect replenishment.

'In the present instance of the invention, the feeler is shown as of the inclined type, that is, it is shown assupported to enter the shuttle in a direction inclined to the ion gitudinal axis of the shuttle on a detecting Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 26, 1920. Serial No.

PatentedOct. 41, 1921.

beat; but in certain aspects the invention is equally applicable to other types of feelers. In carrying the invention into practical effect, the presentinstance shows a feeler of the inclined type having mounted thereon a pressure relief device which enters the shuttle on a detecting beat and engages the filling. The pressurerelief device has its filling engaging endpreferably provided with teeth which, when the filling has become substantially exhausted and the feeler is to be moved longitudinally of the shuttle to call the change, engages the few turns of filling which remain upon the filling carrier as waste, and hold the toothed end of the pressure device from movement, the construction beingsuch that the pressure relief device acts as a lever or pry to relieve the pressure of the end of the feeler against the filling carrierand facilitate its movement'longitudinally of the shuttle.

Other features-ofthe invention in addition to the above, will hereinafter be de scribed in connection with the present drawings, which show one good, practical form of the invention. 5

In the drawings Figure l is a perspective view of the detecting side of the loom, showing more particularly the feeler mechanism and associated orcoiiperating parts; 7

F ig. 2 is an enlarged plan View, some 0 the parts being shown in section, illustrating the relation of parts when the shuttle contains a working supply of filling on afdetecting beat;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2, showing the relation of parts when the filling is substantially exhausted. on a detecting beat; and i V V Fig. 4 is a detached detail showing more particul arly in perspective, the rear end portion of the feeler and the pressure device.

, In the present instance of the invention,

Mountedon the loom framef'l are the brackets 2, one at each side of the loom, and

one of which is shown in Fig. 1, in which is mounted forrocking' movement the transverse or rock shaft 3 which, as in looms of the replenishing type, controls the actuation of the replenishingmechanism. Since" the replenishing mechanism and its control by the transverse or rock shaft 3 is of usual practice, and well known, itsldescription is not here necessary. V I

Rising from the rock shaft 3 is the arm 4 to which is pivoted at 5 the actuator 6,

the rear end portion of which is adapted at times to be engaged by anoperating memher 7 which may be conveniently provided by the cam' follower or a part connected thereto. In the present instance the rear end portionof the actuator 6 has an engaging end 8 carried by a lever 9'pivoted at 10 on the actuator and having a rearwardlyprojecting arm'11 which overlies one arm 12 of a bell crank lever pivoted at 13 to a support 11 mounted on the loom frame as at 15. The other arm 16 of the bell crank lever is connected to a transmitter 17 which,

as will later appear, is operated to place the end of the actuator 6 in the path of the operating member 7 when the feeler partakes of its movement longitudinally of the shuttle to call for replenishment of filling. As usual in this type oflooms, frontward movement of the actuator 6 by the operat- "ing member effects rocking movement of the transverse shaft 3 to cause replenish ment to be effected. r

The lay 18 is provided with the usual shuttle box 19 for the reception of the shuttle 20 in which is mounted the filling carrier or bobbin 21 on which the filling or weft is wound, V

'The front walliof the shuttle box is provided with an opening 22, and the adjacent wall of the shuttle 20 has an opening 23 which is brought into register withthe opening 22 when the shuttle is in the detecting box, the construction being such that the feeler may enter the shuttle on a detecting beat and detect the condition of the filling. Y a

Extending from the'loom frame is the shipper stand 24, to which is adjustably secured the feeler stand 25 by means of the; bolt 26 and slot 27 formed in the feeler stand. 7

As herein shown, the feeler 28 is of the inclined type, that is, it is supported on the feeler stand to enter the shuttle in a direction inclined to the longitudinal aXis there- 7 of, and it is movable toward and from the front of the loom and in a direction longitudinally along the filling carrier. 7 The feeler 28 extends frontwardly through a slotted bracket 29 which may be conveniently formed by upturning the rear edge portion of the feeler stand. The bracket or flange 29 is provided with a slot 30 through which the feeler extends,"and with reference to which the feeler may movelaterally or in a: direction longitudinally of the shuttle.

The frontwardly-extending portion 31 of the feeler is mounted in a rocking bearing 32, in the present instance, which .is supported by a bracket 33 on the feeler stand, and a spring 34 is interposed between the bearing 32' and a shouldered portion 35 of the feeler, to normally hold the feeler in 7 its rearward feeling' 'position'; I r

The feeler stand is or may be provided with the inclined portion 36 to engage a part connected to the feeler, such asthe pin 37 to return the feeler to its proper lateral feeling position when it is to its rearward position; V

The rearend portion of the feeler 28 is returned provided with a roughened or toothedpor- 1 tion 38 which, on a detecting beat, engages the filling and sinks into it so that under the frontward pressure exerted against the feeler, the rear end portion of the feeler is held from movement in a'direction longitudinally of the shuttle. .When, however,

the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, and isnolonger able to restrain'movement of the feeler in adirection [longitudinally of the shuttle, the feeler will tendto move in such direction under the fron'tward pressure of the filling carrier.

It may happen at times that the feeler will not respond to the forces tending: to

move it in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, and the present invention contemplates means to lnsure movement of the end of the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle when on a detecting beat, the filling is substantlally exhausted. In the present instance the invention provides a feeler relief device which acts when the filling is} substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, to

relieve the pressure between the end of the feeler and the end of the filling carrier, that" the feeler may respond to the forces tending to move it in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, and perforce, effect replenishment of filling.

' The'pres'sure relief device may be various- 1y contrived, but in the present instance of ment with the small amount of filling a still 7 remaining on the 'filling carrier or bobbin 21.. A llght sprlng 42 serves to hold the pressure relief device in its normal position,

- ating member, and thereby effect replenishent instance the spring 42 is conveniently coiled about the pivot 40, and has one end resting against a projection 43 of the pressure relief device, and the other end bearing against the feeler or a lug projecting therefrom as at 44, Fig. 4, the construction being such that normally, and while the loom is running with a working supply of filling, the stop 45 of the pressure relief device is maintained in contact with the side of the feeler.

- The transmitter 17, as hereinbefore stated, is connected to the feeler to be operated thereby when the feeler moves in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, and such connection may be variouslycontrived. In the present instance the transmitter 17 has a downturned end portion 46 which engages a frontwardly-extending portion 47 of the pressure relief device, the construction being such that when the end of the feeler 28 is moved in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle from the position indicated in Fig. 2 to that indicated in Fig. 3, when the filling is substantially exhausted, the front- Wardly-extending portion 47 of the pressure relief device will impart to the transmitter appropriate movement for placing the rear end of the'actuator in the path of the operment of filling. 7

When the loom is running with a working supply of filling in the shuttle, the toothed end portions of the feeler and the pressure relief device both engage the filling, as indicated in Fig. 2, on a detecting beat, and the end of the feeler will be held 'by the filling from movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle by the filling.

VV hen, however, the filling is substantially exhausted, and only a small portion remains upon the filling carrier or bobbin 21, as indicated in Fig. 3, the toothed end portion of the feeler will no longer be held by the filling and will start on its longitudinal movement along the filling carrier. The toothed end 41 of the pressure relief device, however, will at such times engage the few turns of filling still remaining'on the filling carrier or bobbin, as indicated in Fig. 3, and as the feeler starts on its movement longitudinally of the shuttle, the pressure relief device 39 will be turned upon its pivotal connection with the feeler, and actwith a leverage or prying action to relieve the pressure of the filling carrier against the toothed end of the feeler, which may then move more freely in its path longitudinally of the filling carrier. Such relief pressure between the end of the feeler and the filling carrier may be either partial or complete,

the latter condition being indicated in Fig.

3, wherein the toothed end of the feeler is.

shown as having been moved fullyfrom V as indicated in Figs. 2 and 4. In the prescontact with the filling carrier or bobbin as it moves in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle.

From the construction described, it will be observed that notwithstanding the character of the filling carrier or bobbin surface with reference to which the end of the feeler moves longitudinally to effect call for replenishment of filling, the feeler will be unobstructed in its longitudinal movementJ combination of a feeler that is supported in a position inclined to the path of the lay and held from movement longitudinally of the shuttle on a detecting beat by engagement with the filling until substantial exhaustion thereof, and means acting to pry the feeler away from the filling carrier as thefeeler is moved in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle on a detecting beat and thereby relieve the pressure of the feeler against the filling carrier.

2. A feeler mechanism for looms having in combination, a feeler supported for movement toward and from the front of the loom in a path inclined tothe longitudinal axis of the shuttle and held from movement along the filling carrier on a detecting beat by engagement with the filling until the filling is nearly exhausted, means for effecting replenismment of filling when the feeler is moved longitudinally of the shuttle on a detecting beat, and means for prying the feeler from engagement with the filling carrier due to movement of the filling carrier longitudinally of the shuttle.

3. A feeler mechanism for looms having in combination, a. feeler supported for move ment toward and from the front of the loom in a path inclined to the longitudinal axis of the shuttle and held frommovement along the filling carrier on a detecting beat by engagement with the filling until the filling is nearly exhausted, means for effecting replenishment of filling when the feeler is moved longitudinally of the shuttle on a detecting beat, and means carried by the feeler for prying the feeler away from engagement with the filling carrier due to the 'movement of the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle.

4. A loom having a feeler mechanism comprising, in combination, a feeler supported to enter the shuttle in a direction inclined to the longitudinal axis of the filling carrier and movable in a direction inclined to the path of the lay, but held from movement ing longitudinally of the filling carrier, and

a pressure relief device which becomes effective by movement of the feeler longitudinally of theshuttle to pry the feeler from of the shuttle, and means foreifectingre ppl'enishment of filling when the feeler'is c engagement-with the filling carrier.

' 5. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler that is supported for movement longitudinally of the shuttle V and is held from such movement by engagement with the filling on El/ClGtGClllIlg beat until substantial exhaustion of filling, and means operated by movement of the feeler longitudinally long the filling carrier on a detecting beat for relieving the pressure of the feeler against the filling carrier.

. 6. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler that is supported to enter the shuttle on a detecting beat and to be moved longitudinally of the shuttle when the fillingis substantially exhausted, means for effecting replenishment of filling when the feeler is moved longitudinally of the shuttle on a detecting beat, and a pressure relief lever pivotally mounted on the feeler and acting as the feelermoves longitudinally of the shuttle to pry it from the filling carrier tofacilitate the feeler movement.

:7. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler that is supported for movement longitudinally of the shuttle and isheld from such movement by engagevided with teeth for engaging the filling in the shuttle on a detecting beat, connections mentwith the filling on a detecting beat until substantialexhaustion of fill1ng, and a pressure relief device which engages a surface carried by the lay on every detect- 7 ing beat and acts to pry the feeleraway from the filling carrier when the fillingis substantially exhausted.

8. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the.

combination of a feeler that is supported for movement longitudinally of the shuttle and is held from such movement by-engagement with the filling on a detecting beat until substantial exhaustion of filling, and a pressure relief device which. enters the shuttle with "the feeler on each detecting beat and which is rendered effective by move ment of the feeler in a direction longitudi nallyof the shuttle on a detecting beat for relieving the pressure of the feeler against the filling carrier. 7 V

r 9. In a 'feeler'mechanism for looms,the combination of a feeler that is supported -.for movement toward and from the ;front of the 100m and'in a. direction longitudinally of the shuttle and is held from movecarrier as the feeler is moved longitudinally nally of the shuttle and is held from move-,

ment longitudinally of-the shuttle on a detectlng beat by engagement with the filling until itis nearly exhausted, a; pressure rethe feeler and engages ,a surface within the lief device which is pivotally mounted on shuttle on a detecting beatand relieves the pressure of the feeler against the vfilling carrier as the feeler is moved longitudinally of the shuttle, and means for effecting re plenishment of filling when the feeler is moved longitudinally of thefilling carrier on a detecting beat.

' 11. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the i combination of a feeler that is supported for movement in a "directionlongitudinally 7 of the shuttle and is held from such move- .ment on a detecting beat by engagement with the filling, a pressure relief device proment in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle and held from such movement by engagement with they filling ona detecting beat until the filling is nearly exhausted, a lever pivot-ally mountedon the feeler'and provided with teeth to engage the filling on a detecting beat and by swinging movement of the lever due tomovemen't of the feeler in a direction longitudinallyof the shuttle on detecting beat to disengage the feeler from contact with the filling carrier.

In testimony-whereof, I have, signed my name to this specification.

[ISAAC snow. 

